Fish segregating, directing, timing, and turning apparatus



May l0 1927. 1,627,899

F. HEATH FISH SEGREGATING,-D1RECT1NG, TIMING, AND TURNING APPARATUS File@ June 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 s sa@ 7 4 52 ffl-ff z -llllllllllllik bay/yy 65 @Yawn .Emir A umm" HPA/VK HEAT/1f Afluo: new

May 1o. 1927. 1,627,899

EQHEATH FISH SEGREGATING, DIRECTING, TIMING, AND `TURNING APPARATUS Filed June 25. 1925 5 sheets-'sheet 2 FRANK HEAT/74 Ffa. 3.

1,627, May 10, 1927. F. HEATH 899 Hsu SEGREGATING, DIREGTING, Trume, 'AND TURNING APPARATUS Filed June 25. v1925 v5 sheets-sheet s 7, i -uuuuuu 65 67 61 unuul u u uuuuul 5 Wa j y o F. HEATH FISH SEGREGATING, DIRECTING, TIMING, AND TUNING'APPARATUSy Filed June 25. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 gru/vento@ FIPA/VK #SAT/f.

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y l0. l F. HEATH FISH SEGREGATING, DIRECTING, T/IMING, AND TURNING APPARATUS me@ June 25. 1925 5 sheets-sheet 5 Patente-d May 1G, 1927.

FRANK HEATH, OF.NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA.

FISH SEGREGATING, DIRECTING, TIMING, AND TURNING APPARATUS.

Application filed June 25, 192,5. Serial No. 39,557.

My invention relates to a fish segregating, directing, timing and turning apparatus to be used in connection with other apparatus for preparing sardines. for canning or other preserving purposes, and the objects of my invention are: first, to provide an apparatus of this class which is very sensitive and delicate and particularly adapted for handling. tender fish such as sar/lines; second, to proio vide an apparatus of this class which is adapted toy receive sardines or other fish of any size and arranged in any' andall positions from crates or any other transporting containers; third, to provide a means in conrs nection with an apparatus of this class for positioning the iish transversely with the general path of the fish through the apparatus; fourth, to-provide an apparatus of this class whereby a few fish are segregated 2o at intervals from the mass discharged'into the apparatus, and an apparatus whereby the few segr gated fish are segregated from each other and allowed to pass singly through the apparatus; iifth, to provide an apparatus of this class having a Vmeans for directing the fish with their heads in one direction and turning vthe same on their backs in connection with a means for segregating the flsh fromeach other; sixth, to

provide a novel means in' connection with an apparatus of this class for segregating a few fish at intervals from an intermittently shiftable receptacle; seventln, t0 provide a means in connection with an apparatus of 5 this class fork segregating the few fish separated from the mass in the receptacle into units for the different units of the,y apparatus; eighth, to provide a novelly vconstructed and; operated means for individually segregating the fish from each other; ninth, to provide a novel means for timing the fish in their path so that the same are discharged at certain timed intervals into a: beheading or other machine synchronized with the apparatus; tenth, to provide a novelly constructed shiftable hopper for an apparatus of this class; eleventh, to provide as a whole a novelly constructed and arranged fish segregating, directing and turning apparatus, and twelfth, toA provide such so an apparatus which 1s simple and economical of construction proportionate to its functions, durable, efficient, easy to operate, and which will not readily deteriorate or out of order.

i T\.Vith these and other objects in view, as

will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, as willl be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to. the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, which form a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view'of my fish apparatus, showing certain parts and portions thereof broken away to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary rear view thereof, showing one complete unit and the operating mechanism thereof; Fig. 3, is a fragment-ary side elevational view thereof similar to that shown in Finzi but showing the various members in different shifted positions; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view :of the.

mechanism for operating the segregating members for individualy segregating the sh from each other, showing by dotted lines certain shifted kpositions of certain members of the mechanism; Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the segregating members operated by the mechanism shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is afragmentary side elevational view of my apparatus,

showingthe upper portion thereof only, the

view bei-ng taken from the side opposite that shown in Figs. l and-3; Fig. 7 is a sectional Viewy of a fragmentary portion of my apparatus in plan, showing the means for shifting the fish into separate units, with the section taken through V7-,7 of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sec/- tional view of the means shown in Fig. 7,

with the section taken on the line 8 8 thereof; Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the meansfor segregating the fish from the mass in the shiftable hopper; and Fig. l0 is an' enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken through i0--r l() of Fig. l, showing theimeans for timing the fish before. leaving the apparatus so that the same may he discharged into other machines or apparatus at timed intervals.

Lilie characters of reference. refe-r to sunl- .lar parts and portions throughout the sevmember 1,2, crank arm 18, link 14, cam supporting arm 15, gear 16, gear `journal support 17, pinion 18, bevel" gears 19 and 20, vertical drive-shaft 21, main drive-shaft 22, bevel gears 28 and 24, drive pulley 25, weight 26, link 27, plate actuating arm 28, stop 29, spring 80, bracket 81, bunching bin 82, trap doors 88 and 84, trap door actuating arm 85, link 86, roller supporting arm 87, roller 88, spring' 89, inclined plate 40, segregating fingers 41, 42 and 43, segregating finger supporting rods 44 and 45, rod supports 46, rod actuating bars 47 and 48, extensible bar actuating links 49 and 50, operating rod 51, support 52, spring 53, connecting rod 54, crank member 55, universal joint 56, brakewheel 57, brake-band 58, spring 59, brushes and 61, fish directing receptacle 62, brush supports 63 and 64, supporting bars 65, crank-shaft 66, connecting links 67, bevel pinion 68, bevel gear 69, fish turning chute 70, water conductor 71, levers 72 and 73, bunching member reciprocating rods 74 and 75, rod supports 76, bunching member-s 77, 78 and 79, fish guide members 80 and 81, cover plates 82, fish supporting plate 88, excess dumping plate 84, rod 85, stop 86, spring 87, lever member 88, stop member 89, conductor 90, flexible connection 91, conductor 92, spraying nozzles 93, fish stop members 94, supporting rod 95, supporting arms 96, shaft 97, journal 98, cams 99, cam-shaft` 100, camshaft supporting bracket 101, trame member 102, bevel gear 103, and the tension springs 104, constitute the principal parts and portions of' my fish apparatus.

The hopper 1, which is a flexible, intermittently shiftable or dumping receptacle, is positioned at the upper portion of the front of the apparatus. Said hopper is preferably made ot fabric material and is provided with a long bottom member 1 extending across the apparatus with the front edge of the bottom member looped around the cross member 2 connecting the upper ends of the ver tical hopperl guide and supporting rods 2, which are reciprocally mounted on the front upright 'frame members 8. The rear edge ot the bottom member of the hopper is secured near the upper edge of a vertical plate 6 extending across the apparatus and support ed at its ends by means of brackets 7 in front ot' the intermediate upright trame members 4. The end members 1) of the hopper 1 are secured to the ends of the bottom member' 1"L thereof and are secured at their upper edges to rods 8 which are pivotally mounted at their front ends on the cross member 2 and at their rear ends pivotally and reciprocally in guide portions 9a on the rod 9 rotatably mounted near its ends at the upper ends of the brackets 7. The hopper 1, by reason of its long flexible construction and the substantially upward rolling of its flexible bottom member during the upward shifting of the hopper, is adapted to position the lish lengthwise therein and transversely with the general path of the fish through the apparatus.

To the lower ends of the hopper shifting or dumping rods 2 are secured t-he one ends ot cables or chains 11 which are secured at their opposite ends to the one ends or" the arcuate channel-shaped portions 12a of the quadrant members 12. rllhese members 12, there being one on each side of the apparatus, are secured relatively to each other by means ot a shaft 12b which is rotatably mounted in supports 4il secured to the upright -frame members 4. To the one end of the shaft 12b, at the left side of the machine, is secured an arm 18, which is pivotally connected at its tree end, by means of a link 14, to the one end of an arm 15 extending diametrically across and secured to a gear 16. Said gear meshes with and is driven by` a pinion 18, which, together with the gear 16, is revolubly mounted in a journal support 17 secured to the one frame member 4. On the shaft supporting the pinion 18 is mounted a bevel gear 19, which meshes with a bevel pinion 20 secured intermediate the ends ot and to the vertical drive-shaft 21. At the lower end of the shaft 21 is secured another bevel gear 28 which meshes with a bevel gear secured to the one end of the main driveshaft 22, which may be driven by a pulley 25, as shown in Fig. 2, or by any other suit- Iable means.

0n the ends of the arms 12c of the quadrant members 12 supporting the arcuate channel-shaped portions 12a thereof, and opposite side channel-shaped portions, are provided shiftable weights 26 for balancing the shittable hopper 1.

The means for segregating a few fish from the mass in the hopper 1 is shown best in l? ig. 9 and consists essentially of a quantity limiting plate 10, secured at its upper edge to and extending downwardly from the rod 9 a fish supporting plate 88 and an excess dumping plate Said plates 88 and 84 are hinged relatively to each other at their adjacent edges on a rod mounted at the upper edge of the plate 6. lhe plate 83 extends backwardly from its hinged portion to underneath the lower edge of the plate 10 and is adap ed to support length wise thereon a few fish discharged from the hopper 1. The plate 84 normally extends downwardly into the hopper 1 and is adapted to be raised about its 'pivotal suppert with the upward shifting of the hopper to facilitate the discharge of the fish from the hopper by reason et' the angular position of the latter plate when shifted upwardly. rlhe plate 88 is normally held in a substantially horizontal position against a stop 86, mounted on the bracket 7, by means ot a tension spring 87 secured at its one end on the lis-anse@ bracket 7 vandfat its oppositeend to an ex tended portion 83fL at the one ,end of the plate 83. The plate 84 is normally held in a downwardly extendingposition by gravity. On the lett-hand endet the rod 85 is rotatably mounted a :lever member 88 provider` with oppositely extending arms 88 and 88h adapted to engage respectively the extended portion 83a ot the .plate 83 and an vextended oiiset arm 84a securedto the left-hand en d of ,the plate 84 and extending through the corresponding` end of the hopper l. lSaid arms 88L and 88b are adapted to vshift the plate 83 downwardly .andthe plate 84 upwai-diy, respectively. Said lever member 88 is provided .with another arm88C extending angulai'ly .relativelyto the arms 88a and 88 and provided with a right angle bend 88 extending through the one endet the Alink 2T ,adapted to rotate the .member 88. The left-hand end otthe'rod '9 is also provided with a right angle bend or crank portion 9b which extends 'downwardly from the main portion of the rod 9 and is adapted tolce engaged at its lower end bythe portion 88 uof the arm 88C extending through the link 27and by a stop member 89 adjustably securedv'to the kone Aside Aof the link 27. v It will be .iiotedtliat the stop member 89 vis adjustably secured to the link 27 so as to Vary the inclination ot the plate l when stationary, and, therefore, vary the space between vthe lower portionot the same and the forward pivotal edge of the plate 83'to limit the number of tishadapted tol be discharged thereon by the hopper, the number oftish .discharged on the plate *83 in excess et the space provided therefor dropping back into the hopper over. the plate 8l.

The .plate is Vtilted backwardly about its pivotal support when the crank portion 9b et the rod 9 is engaged by the portion 88d extending through ther link '27, vduring the backward movement ot said link. i

The link Q7 is pivotally connected at its opposite end to the upper end of an arm Q78 pivotally mountedfat its lower end on a cross memberv extending between the upright traine members 4 and 5 on thelett-hand side of the apparatus. Y Near the upper end oit said frame member 4 provided a stop Q9 to engage and limit the forward movement ot the arm 28, there .being provided a tension spring30 `secured at its one end intermediate the ends et' Asaid arm 28fand'at its opposite end toa bracket 31 secured to the trame member 4l, saidv yspring being adapted to force said'arm against said stop. Intermediate the ends of the rarm Q8 is mounted a roller2'8a which is adaptedvto be engaged by an angular and arcuate campertion `l5a at the one end of the arm l5 `secured to thegearlt, forforcingthe arm28backwaifdlyV fabout' its pivotal mounting and @limpia-ribs ish positioned Hersh@ ser:

porting plate 83, however only after the hopper l has been-shifted to its lower position.

it the vback side of the plate 6 is provided a bin 32 which is adapted to receive the lisli discharged lfrom the ish.suppoi'ting plate 83, l

.and which is provided with a lbottom consisting of a pail-.of oppositely disposed7 mutually operating trap'doors 33 and 34- pivote ally'mounted, respectively, at thetront and back sides ot said bin. The rod 33, supporting the trap door 33 within the bin,

provided ,near .c ne end with a gear member 33, .which meshes witha similar gear niember 3l secured tothe one end of the rod supporting thel trap door 3ft, as shown best in is raised, vthe arm 35 rotated and thetrap doors tilted about their pivotal mountings, permitting the fish in the bin to be discharged therefrom. The free end vot the arm 35 is connected, by Ameans of a tension spring 39, with the.` extended end et the bracket 31,

whereby zthe trap vdoors are normally heldl in aclosed position. A stop 36n is provided intermediate'the ends of the link 3G, which stop isadapted to engage the bracket 3l to limit the downward movement oit said link and, therefore, the v.closed positions of the trap doors yor the bin.

Below the bin 32 islpositionedan inclined fish directing plate 40, which is secured at its one edge to theplate and extends downwardly and b ack-wardly therefrom, and is adapted' to feed or direct the fish discharged tromthe bin 32,-into the means for individually segregating the same. Saidindividual segregating means consists essentially et a plurality of rows of segregating members or lingers il, 42 and t3 extending transversely acrossthemachine andso arranged relativelyvto each otherthat the tish are ted by gravity from one rowet lingers to the other and individually segregated from each other.

One complete unit ot this segregating means isshown best in Fig. Q ot the drawings. The

fingers 4l, 4,2 and ,43, shaped rsubstantially as shown infFigy ot the drawings, are secured intermediate their ends .to rodsat and a5, spaced from each other and rotatably mounted in 4supports 4.6. The fingers are so spaced on itheir LrespectlVe .supporting rods that they substantiallyv 'interlock 1 withhtheV fingers secured to the adjacentrod.

Theorie .rod 4 4 supporting the fingers 4l nearest thehin 82, iis-well as'thecalternate Finger supporting rods indicated by 44 in Fig. 5 ot the drawings, are provided at their one ends with crank portions 44 which are pivotally connected with each other at their tree ends by means of a bar 4'? which is pivotally connected, by means of an extensible link 49, with a downwardly extending lug 511L ot the operating rod 5l reciprocally mounted in brackets 52 supported near the upper ends of the frame members 4 and 5. 'lhe extensible link 41') consists of link members 49' and 49b reciprocally connected with each other,I the former being provided with longitudinal slots and the latter with pins extending through the slots oit' the former. Said link members 49" and 42h are adapted to be contracted relatively to each other by means of a tension spring W hen the operating rod 5l is forced backwardly, and bet'ore its extreme backward position is reached, the bar 47, connecting the crank portions of the rods 44 with each other, en-

a stop member 47 which holds the one ink member 49 .stationary while the other ink member 49h is permitted to move with the operating rod 5l, thereby permitting the members of the eXtensible link 49 to be extended relatively to each other, which extended position is shown by solid lines in Fig. 4 of the drawings. rllhe operating rod 5l is pivotally connected by means ot a connecting rod 54 with the crank portion oi the crank member 55, which is connected to and operated by the vertical drive-shaft 2l by means of the universal joint 56, shown best in Fig. l. Allt the extended end of the crank member 55 is secured a brake-wheel 57 around which is rictionally positioned a brake-band 58 secured to the upper end of the upright trame member 4, as shown best in Fig. l. This brake means takes up any play in the mechanism between the crank member and the several rows ot fingers in the individual segregating mechanism caused by the several resilient and shilitable connections of the links and the like. The linger supporting rods 45, between which the rods 44 are positioned, are also provided at theirv one ends, corresponding with the ends or' the rods 44, with crank portions which are also pivotally connected with each other at their tree ends by means of a bar 48 which is pivotally connected with the downwardly extending lug 51L of the operating rod 5l, by .means of an extensible link 5t). Said link 50 consists olf link members 50L1 and 50" shiftably connected with each other, the latter being provided with longitudinal slots and the former with pins extending through the slots oit the latter, as shown best in Fig. 4. The link members 50a and 50b are connected with each other by a tension spring 59 in such a manner that the link 50 is adapted to be automatically extended instead of contracted, as described in connec- Leanser:

tion with the link 49. During the forward stroke ot the rod 5l, the bar 48 is adapted to engage a stop 455n which limits the forward movement of said bar while-permitting the rod 5l to move to the end of its forward stroke, thus contracting the extensible link 50.

Should two or more fish be discharged from the bin 32 onto the plate 40 and into the segregating means just described, the same would be stopped by the straight portions 4l2L ot the iirst row of lingers 4l when the mechanism is in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5. lf the crank member 55 is now rotated so that the operating rod 5l is similar to those oli the lingers 42, shown by solid lines, and the lingers 42 and 43 assume positions shown by solid lines of the fingers 4l. `When said lingers 4l are rotated as laststated, the two or more lish lodged against the straight portions of the fingers 41 in the iii-st row are discharged against the straight portions 42a oit the lingers 42 in the second row, the relation of th-e lingers in the lirst row to those of the second row being the same as the relation shown by solid lines of the lingers in the second to those in the third row. rEhe relation between each two adjacent rows of fingers being the same, the two or more fish discharged or lodged against the straight portions oit the first row of lingers 42 may be assumed to be the same as those lodged against the straight portions ot the' second row ot fingers 41, as indicated by the dotted cross-sectional outline of the fish in Fig. 5. During the forward stroke of the operating rod 5l, the bar 48, connecting the crank portions of the linger supporting rods 45, is shifted forwardly to an intermediate position, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4 of the drawings, before the bar 47, connecting the crank portion of the rods 44, starts to rotate said last mentioned rods.V This temporary stationary condition of the bar 47 is due to the prior extended condition of the link 49 caused by the engagement of the bar 4'? against the stop 4"a during the backward shitting of the rod 51. During the initial forward movement of the rod 5l the link 49 is contracted by the tension spring 53 until the rod 5l assumes the position shown by dot-ted lines, at which time both bars 47 and are shifted forwardly permitting the lingers 4l to rotate in one direction and the lingers 42 and 43 in the opposite direction. F rom the above description it will be seen that during the initial forward movement of? the rod 5l the lingers 4l will remain sta tionary, while the lingers 42 and 43 will be shifted clockwise about their pivotal mountings, the initial movement of the fingers 42 being adapted to remove all ish in excess of one from their position against the straight portions of the fingers fl and convey the same to their former position, the one fish remaining in the position just described being lodged between the straight portions of the fingers ll and the curved portions of the fingers e2, as shown best in Fig. 5. After the operating rod l has been shifted to the position shown by dotted lines, all fingers are shifted about their pivotal mountings until just before `the operating rod 5l reaches its forward position, when the bar f8 will engage the stop 48a holding the rods 45, and, therefore, the fingers' secured thereto, stationary, while the bar 47 continues to the end of its forward stroke with the rod 5l, therefore, continuing the pivotal movements of the fingers 4l. Thus, it will be seen that should more than one fish be retained in the spaces between various rows of' fingers, as described, instead of one as intended', the operation continues through several stages, there being five in number in the apparatus shown, thus assuring individual segregation of the fish before the same leave the last described segregating means.

The segregating fingers lf3 in the lower transverse row are constructed similarly to' the oth r ingers eircept that the curved portions at the ends of the straight portions are omitted. rlhe positions of the fingers 43 correspond with the positions of the fingers 4t2. lt will be here noted that the curved portions of all of the fingers are so inter-posi tioned with each other that the fish carried down the inclination of the individual segregating means cannot be pierced or otherwise mutilated by the ends of the fingers.

The fish discharged individually from the straight portions of the lower or rear row of seg'regating fingers are adapted 'to fall between the bristles of a pair of oppositely positioned, inclined and oppositely reciprocating brushes 6() and 6l. rfliefish falling between these brushesare carried with and in the direction of the brush engaging the free or exposed edges of the scales of the fish, the fish being carried head foremost alternately bythe oppositely disposed brushes to the ends thereof, from which they drop head foremost into a directing .receptacle 62. rf-he brushes of the different units of ratus Vare secured at their back sides to a reciprocable support 63, while the other oppositely disposed'brushes 6l of the several units are secured at their back sides to the reciprocable brush support 64. rl`he'brush supports 63 and 64 are provided at their .ends with bifurcated portions which are reciprocally mounted in cross members 65 extending between the upright frame members 4l and 5 at each side of the apparatus. The supports 63 and 64; are alternately reciprocated by the oppositely offset crank member 66 which is revolubly supported by the frame the appa'-` and pivotally connected, by means of connecting links 67, with the brush supports 63 and 64k, as shown best in Figs. l and 2. At the one endA of the crank member' or shaft 66 is provided a bevel pinion 68 which meshes with a large bevel gear 69 mounted on the vertical drive-shaft 21'.

.The receptacle 62, into which the fish are discharged from the brushes, is substantially heart-shaped and is provided at its front and back sides with rectangular, cutaway portions 62a at its upper end through which the bristles or blades of the brushes extend,

of the apparatus said cutaway portions 62EL being` ofv such` length as to permit free reciprocal movement ofthe brushes. As the fish are discharged into the receptacle 62, the same fall with heads foremost against the inclined surfaces at the lateral sides ofthe receptacle 62 and are directed with their heads foremost towards the bottom of the receptacle and out to one side by reason of the lower forwardly' curved portion 62h, as shown best in Fig. l. The fish leaving' the receptacle 62 are adapted to be discharged into an inclined chute 70 positioned with its one end at and communicating i Tith the lower forwardly directedv end of the receptacle 62. In this chute T0 the fish are turned on their backs with their heads foremost, and are adapted to' be' discharged in this position at the opposite end of the chute', with which end isr adapted to be connected a beheading and enti-'ail removing machine or other apparatus. It will i be here noted that the bottom of the chute nearest the discharge end of the receptacle' is slightly curved and so formed at the bottom that the depth vis greatest at the aXal line of the chute. This portion of the chute, as described, merges into a relatively narrow U-shaped portion (O"L at its forward or lower end, which portion 70 is also curved upwardly so that the speed of the Iish discharged into the chute is slightly retarded toward the end of the chute. The fish, particularly sardines, by reason of the greatest bulk or weight at their back portions, are' automatically turned by gravity onto their backs in passing through the chute.

The lower portion of the fish directing receptacle 62 is divided by a vertical partition wall 62C, as shown best in Figs. i, 2 and l() of the drawings, which partition wall entends preferably slightly beyond the lower open end of the receptacle. Said partition wall is adapted to prevent the crowding of the fish, as they descend, to the opposite side of the receptacle and to prevent the swaying movement ofthe fish from one side of the chute to the other as the same are discharged fro'm the receptacle 62 into the same.

llt the lower, reduced, forwardly directed discharge end of each of the fish directing receptacles 62 is removably positioned a stop platek 94 which may be slotted at its lower lUO end to receive the portion of the partition wall 62C extending' beyond the lower end of the receptacle. Said stop plates 94 are all secured at their upper portions on a rod which is supported near its endsat the one ends of a pair or more arms 96 which are secured intermediate their ends on a shaft 97. lSaid shaft 97 is rotatably mounted in journals 98 which are supported on a cross member 102 of the frame of the apparatus. Un the frame n'iember 102 are also supported journal brackets lOl in which is revolubly mounted the cani-shaft which may be driven by the shaft 2l by means of a bevel gear 103 at the one end of the shaft 100, said gear meshing wfth the bevel pinion 2O on the shaft 2l. On the shaft 100 is provided a plurality of cani members 99 which are adapted to engage the opposite free ends of the arms for intermittently rotating` the same in a clockwise direction about their pivotal axes, therefore, intermittently raising the stop members or plates 94 from in front of the open ends of the fish directing receptacles (32 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. l. 'lll e stop members 9-l are adapted to be held in the downward positions. ,'hown by solid liner-n by tension sprinfi's lO-l preferably connected at their one ends to the arms 9G and at their opposite ends to the cross frame member upon which 'the lower ends of the receptacles 62 are supported.

lt will be here noted that the stop members 9i perform a double function, namely, that of stopping` the fish at the discharge ends of the lish direct-ing receptacles 62, thereby starting the fish from a. stop at the head ends of the chutes 70 and thus facilitating 'the turning` of the fish onto their baclrs in their passage down the chutes, and also that of releasing the fish at intervals timed with machines, mechanisms or other fish apparatus adapted to be positioned at the discharge ends of the chutes 70.

To facilitate the directing` and turning` of the fish, as described, in the receptacle 69; and the chute 70, there provided a water conductor 7l, which is connected with a source of water supply and extends across the apparatus aboie the singularly positioned, oppositely disposed brushes. Said conductor is provided with a plurality of spraying nozzles 7l:L its under side whereby water is sprayed over the top of the brushes and into and againstthe inclined surfaces of the receptacle (52 and allowed to flow down the chute 70,y 'thus lubricating the surfaces engaged by the fish in their passage through t-he apparatus.

Above the fish supporting-i` plate 83 is positioned another water conductor 90 which may be mounted on the forward side of the plate l0, as shown best in Fig. 9, and connected by means of a flexible connection 91 to a conductor 92 connected with a source of water supply, as shown in Fig. 6. On the under side of the conductor 90 is also provided a plurality of spraying nozzles 93 for spraying the upper side of the plate 83 and lubricating` the surfaces adapted to be engaged by the fish in their pass-age through the apparatus.

rEhe ends of the brush supports 63 and 64, opposite the means for reciprocating the same, are pivotally connected, by means of the lev rs 72 and 7 3 pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on the supporting frame, with the one ends of the rods 74tandv 7 5, respectively. Said rods are reciprocally mounted within the bin 32 and are respectively supported at the front and rear inner sides thereof by means of supports 7 G, as shown best in Figs. 7 and S. lVithin and near the bottom of the bin is reciprocally mounted a. plurality of fish bunehing` members, indicated by 77, 78 and 79 in Fig. 7, the members 77 and 79 being; secured to and reciprocated by the reciprocatingl rod 75, and the member 7S and other similar members beini` secured to and reciprocated by the rod 7-l. Thus, it will be seen that the fish discharged from the plate S3 into the bin 32 are hunched into units for the several segregating, directing and turning units of the apparatus. rlhe fish bunching members, as shown best by lthe enlarged fragmentary tional view in Fig. 8, are provided with inclined surfaces which are provided with a plurality of upwardly extending, pointed portions or other suitable obstruction means whereby the ish fallin@ upon, against or near said members are rorced towards the middle of each operating unit, each ot the adjacent fish bunching members being alternately directed against and away from each other so that the same bunching members are used in bunching the fish in two adjacent units.

As the fish are discharged from the bin by the opening of the trap doors and onto the inclined Jlate 40, the same enter the individual segregating means, previously described. 'llo facilitate the directing' of the fish into this segregating means there is provided on each side of the several rows of segregatinglingers an ane'lar guide member, as indicated by 80 and 8l in Fig. 2, the former of which is connected to and reeiproeated by the reciprocating brush support G?) and the latter of which is connected to and reciprocated by the brush support Gelrl"hus, it will be seen that there is a constant tendency of the fish to be directed 'towards the center of the several units. On each side of the individual segregating n'ieans is provided a plate 82 upon which the guide members SO and 8l are mounted and whereby the fish are prevented from dropping through the apparatus.

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lili) CJR meiste It will be readily seen from the above that from the fish dumped promiscuously into the intermittently shiftable hopper l, a few are discharged, by means of the plate 8i, sidewise onto the supporting plate 83 when the hopper-is raised, as shown in Fig. 3; that the iish discharged in an angular position onto the plate 83 and hanging over the pivotal 'edge of said plate will be dumped baci; into the hopper l over the plate Si; that if more fish are discharged onto 'the plate 83 than is intended, the surplus is discharged back into the hoppnwhen the same is lowered; that the remaining fish on the plate 88 are discharged or dumped, when the plate 83 is shifted downwardly and the plate lO backwardly, into the bin 3Q in which the 7 are bunched and discharged through the trap doors and into the individual segregating means and individually segregated, and that the fish, after leaving the segregating means last mentioned, are directed head foremost int-o the chute by which they are turned on their backs preparatory to decapitating.

lt is obvious from this construction, as illustrated in the drawings and disclosed in the foregoing specification, that there is provided a fish segiegating, directing and turning apparatus as aimed at and set forth in the objects of the invention, and though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, l do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims'.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: p

i. ln a apparatus, an intermittently shiftable hopper, and an intermittently shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a few of the members contained in said hopper when the saine is shifted to an extreme position.

2. ln segregating apparatus, an intermittently shiftable hopper, an intermittently shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a few of the members contained in said hopper when the saine is shifted to an extreme position, and a bunching means positioned contiguous to said shiftable supporting memberl adapted to receive the members segregatedfrom the vmass in said hopper by said supporting member.

In a segregating apparatus, a hopper, av

shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a tiguoiis to said shiftable supporting member adapted to receive the members from said supporting member, said bunching means including a. bin provided with a trap-door in its bottom, and a plurality, of reciprocating` bunching members.

4. In a segregating apparatus, an intermittently shiftable hopper, an intermittently shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive .a few of the members contained in said hopper when the same' is shifted to an eX- treme position, and a segregating means for receiving the members positioned on said supporting member and individually segregating the same.

5. In a segregating apparatus, an intermittently shiftable hopper, an intermittently shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a few of the members contained in said hopper when the same is shifted to an extreme position, and a segregating means for receiving the members positioned on said supporting member and individually segregating the same, said segregating means including *a plurality of intercommunicating shiftable segregating members, the alternate segregating members of said segregating means being shiftable in opposite directions from the adjacenty segregating members thereof.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a shiftable hopper, an intermittently shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a fewofthe members contained in said hopper when the same is shifted, a segregating means for receiving and individually segregating the members discharged from said supporting member, and a directing means communicating with the discharge end of said segregat-ing means for receiving the individually segregated `members and directing the same with their corresponding ends in one direction. y

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a shiftable hopper, an intermittently shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a few lof the members contained in said hop'- per when the same is shifted, a segregating means for receiving and individually segregating the members discharged from said supporting member, a directing means communicating with the discharge end of said segregating means for receiving the .individually segregated members and directing the same with their corresponding ends in one direction, and a turning means in connection with said directing means for turning and uniformly positioning said segregated members about their longitudinal aXes.v

8. In an apparatus of the class described,

a shiftable hopper, an intermittently shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a few of the members contained in said hopper when the same is shifted, a segregating means for receiving and individually segregating the members discharged from said supporting member, said segregating means including a plurality of intercommunicating shiftabie segregating members, the alternate segregating members of said segregating means being shiftable in opposite directions from the adjacent segregating members thereof, and a directing means communicating with the discharge end of said segregating means for receiving the individually segregated members and directing the same with their corresponding ends in one direction.

9. ln an apparatus of the class described, a shiftable hopper, an intermittently shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a few of the members contained in said hopper when the same is shifted, a segregating means for receiving and individually segregating the members discharged from said supporting member, said segregating means including a plurality of intercommunicating shiftable segregating members, the alternate segregating members of said segregating means being shiftable in opposite directions from the adjacent segregating members thereof, a directing means communieating with the discharge end of said segregating means for receiving the individually segregated members and directing the same with their corresponding ends in one direction, and a turning means in connection with said directing means for turning and uniformly positioning said segregated members about their longitudinal ases,

l0. ln an apparatus of the class described, a shiftable hopper, an intermittently shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a few of the members contained in said hopper when the same is shifted, a segregating means for receiving and individually segre gating the members discharged from said supporting member, and apair of angularly positioned, oppositely disposed and oppo sitely reciprocating brushes positioned contiguous to the discharge end of said segregating means adapted to receive the indi- .fidually segregated members therein.

llt. ln apparatus of the class described, a shiftable hopper, an intermittently shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a few of the members contained in said hopper when the same is shifted, a scgregating means for receiving and individually segregating the members discharged from said supporting member, a pair of angularly positioned, oppositely disposed and oppositely reciprocating brushes positioned contiguous to the discharge end of said aggregating means adapted to receive the individually segregated members therein, and a directing receptacle positioned below and at the opposite ends of said brushes adapted to receive the members discharged therefrom.

l2. ln an apparatus of the class described, a shiftable hopper, an intermittently shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a few of the members contained in said hopper when the same .is shifted, a bunching means positioned contiguous to said supporting member adapted to receive the members segregated from the mass in said hopper on said supporting member, said bunching means including a bin provided with a trapdoor in its bottom and a plurality of oppositely reciprocating bunching members, and a segregating means for receiving and individually segregating the members discharged from said bunching means.

i3. ln an apparatus of the class described, a shiftable hopper, a shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive few ot the members contained in said hopper when the same is shifted, a bunching means positioned contiguous to said supporting member adapted to receive the members segregated from the mass in said hopper on said supporting member, a segregating means for receiving and individually segregating the members discharged from said bunching means, and a pair of oppositely disposed and oppositely reciprocating brushes positioned contiguous to the discharge end of said segregating means adapted to receive the individually segregated members therein. I

let. ln an apparatus of the class described, a. shiftable hopper, a shiftable supporting member positioned at one side of said hopper adapted to receive a few of the members contained in said hopper when the same is shifted, a bunching means positioned contiguous to said supporting member adapted to receive the members segregated from the mass in said hopper on said supporting member, a segregating means for receiving and individually segregating the members discharged from said bunching means, a pair of oppositely disposed and oppositely reciprocating brushes positioned contiguous to the discharge end of said segregating means adapted to receive the individually segregated members therein, and a directing receptacle positioned below and at the opposite ends of said brushes adapted to receive the members discharged therefrom.

l5. In a segregating means, a plurality of spaced apart rotatable supports provided with outwardly extending iingers, the fingers of the several supports being positioned lill Iintermediate the fingers of the adjacent supports, and means 'or rotating the alternate supports :in opposite directions.

16, In a segregating means, a plurality ot' spaced apart rotatable supports provided with outwardly extending lingers, the iingers ot the several e'zupports being positioned intermediate the lingers ot the adjacent supports, means tor rotating the alternate supports in opposite directioi'is, and means in connection with said lastgnientioned means 'for holding the valternate supports stationary during a portion ot the rotatable movement oi the other rotatable supports.

1T. ln a segregating means oft the class described, a plurality ot spaced apart rotatable supports positioned parallel with each other and substantially in the same plane, said plane being inclined with the horizontal, and said supports being provided with a plurality o'i" spa-ccd apart lingers extending` outwardly from said supports, the portions extending to one side of said supports being substantially straight and the portions extending to the opposite sides of said supports being curved, the straight and curved portions of the tingers otl one support being positioned and shi'itable intermediate the respective curved and straight port-ions ot the lingers supported on the adjacent rotatable supports.

18. In a. segregating means oi' the class described, a plurality oi' spaced apart rotatable supports' positioned parallel With Aeach other and substantially in the saine plane, said plane being inclined With the horizontal, and said supports being provided With a plurality ot spaced apart lingers eX- tending outwardly from said supports, the portions extending to one side ort said supports being substantially straight and the portions vextending to the opposite sides of said supports being -curved, the straight and curved portions ot the lingers ot one support being positioned and shittable intermediate the respective curved and straight port-ions ot the lingers supported on the adjacent rotatable supports, means for rotating the alternate linger supports in opposite directions, and other means in connection with said last mentioned means tor holding the alterna-te supports stationary during a porti-on of the rotatable movement of the other finger supports.

i9. ln a scgregating means, a. plurality ot' spaced apart, oppositely rotatable supports provided with conveying members eX- tending transversely therefrom, and means tor rotating alternately positioned supports a portion ot a revolution before rot-ating tlie other supports.

Q0. lu a segregating means, a plurality of spaced apart, oppositely rotatable supports provided with conveying members eX- tending transversely therefrom, the conveythe conveying members oll the adjacent supports, means tor rotating the alternate supports in opposite directions, and means in connection with said last mentioned means 'for holding the alternate supports stationary during a portion of vthe rotatable movement ot the other rotatable supports.

ln a segregating means, a pair of oppositely rotatable and reversible intercommuni/ating conveying supports, and means for rotating alternately positioned supports a portion or a revolution before rotating` the other supports in the opposite direction, forming segregating pockets between corresponding portions adj acently positioned supports. y

Z3. ln a segregating means, a pair of iippositely rotatable and reversible interconimunicating convey-ing supports, means lor rotating said supports in opposite directions, and other means for holding one the supports stationary during ya portion ot the rotatable movement of the other support.

ln an apparatus ot the class described, an eilt-ended sliiftable flexible hopper with its one side stationary, and automatic means for intermittently raising the opposite side ort' said hopper. 'A

25. ln an apparatus of the class described, `an extended sliittable flexible hopper with its one side stationary, means for intermittently raising the' opposite side of said `hopper,l and a pivotally mounted segregating and suliporting mem-ber positioned at one side of said 'hopper adapted to receive fish therefrom when theone side ot said hopper is raised, and mea-ns for intermittently rotating said segregating and supporting member about its pivotal mounting.

26. ln a iish segrega-ting 'appara-tus, a hopper provided with a shift-able longitudinallly extending leX-ible bottom.

2T. In a isli segregating appara-tus, a long hopper provided with a longitudinally yeX- tending sagging flexible bottom stationary 'at one edge land adapted to be shifted at :its opposite edge at regularintervals;

28. In a segregating apparatus, a shiftable hopper, a segregating and supporting member shii'tably mounted at one side thereoi, and a limit member positioned at the upper side of said segregating and supporting member for limiting the supporting space thereon.

29. ln a segregating apparatus, a shiftable hopper, an intermittently shittable segregating and supporting member mounted at one side thereot and adapted 'to receive the contents thereiirom, limit member pivotally mounted at the upper side ot said segregating and supporting member Ytor limiting the supporting space thereon, and adjustable stop and release means in connection with said limit member to vary its position relatively to said segregating and supporting member and to permit its being shifted relatively thereto.

30. ln a segregating?,l apparatus, a shittable hopper, an intermittently shittable segregating and supporting member mounted at one side thereo'i't and adapted to receive the contents iihere'tronn a limit member pivotally mounted at the upper side oit said segregating and supporting meniber 't'or limiting the supp nace thereon, and means Ier variously and siinultzlncousi)v shifting said segregatingij and supporting member and said limit member.

lil. In an apparatus ot' the class described, a lish segregating means, a .tish turning means communicating therewith, and a tish stop means at the one end ot said turning means for temporarily retarding the passage ot ish when entering said turning means.

32. ln an apparatus oi? the class described, a lish directing means, a lish turning` i'ueans communicating with the i discharge end thereo'l", and tish stop means in connection with said turning` means tor retarding the tish in their passage through said 'turning means.

In an apparatus oi? the class described, a fish directing means, a fish turning chute communicating at its one end with said directing means, and a stop member shittably mounted at the discharge eud ot said directing means.

34. In an apparatus oit' the class described, a segregating' means, a chute communicating at its one end therewith, and a timing means in association with said chute 'toi' timing the passage oi members therethrough.

In an apparatus or the class d scribed, a directing mea-ns, a chute communicating at its one end with said directing means, and a timing means in association with said chute tor timing the passage ot members therethrough.

36. In an apparatus of the class described, a ish segregating means, a ish turning chute associated at its one end therewith, and a timing means in association with said chute for timing the discharge ot iish from the opposite end of said chute.

37. ln an apparatus ot the class described, a ish directing means, a chute communicating at its one end With the discharge end ot said directing means, and a stop member extending into said chute adapted to be intermittently removed therefrom tor timing the discharge ot ish from the opposite end ot' said chtite.

ln an apparatus ot the class described, an inclined iish turning chute merging in gradual curves from a relatively shallow and Wide cross-section at its head end into a. rela-tively deep, curved bottom, tl-shaped cross-section at its opposite end, and a stop means extending into said chute at its head end and adapted to be intermittently removed therefrom.

3S). in a segregating apparatus, a. shii'table hopper, a supporting member positioned at one side and at the upper edge ot said hopper, and a dumping member mounted at one side llor dumping excessive quantities ot the contents said hopper, received Afrom the latter, baci; into the same.

et). in a segregating apparatus, a shiiitable hopper, a supporting member positioned at one side and at the upper edge ot said hopper, and a dumpingl plate pivotaily mounted at one edge to the edge oi the supporting member extending toward said hopper, said dumpingplate being normally extended into said hopper and adapted to be simultaneously shiited with the same.

eti. in a segregating apparatus, a hopper, a receiving and supportii'ig means positioned at one side ot said hopper adapted to receive a portion ot the contents of the latter, and a quantity limiting member shiittabiy mounted at the upper side ot said receiving and supporting means tor limiting the supporting space on the latter.

i2. segregatii'ig apparatus, a hopper, a receiving and supgorting means positioned at one side ot said hopper adapted to receive a portion of the contents ot the latter, and a limiting means in association with said receiving and supporting means tor controlling the supporting space ot the latter.

lin testimony whereof, l have hereunto set my hand at San Diego, California, this 12th day ot June, 1925.

FRANK HEATH. 

